Southern Oregon, while remaining very laid back, has been growing up over the years with much influence from California transplants. Emphasis on vineyards and wineries, local produce, meat, and dairy, and anything and everything organic and "green." I love visiting the farmer's market while there in the summer...fresh goat cheese that's ever so slightly green from grass the goats were eating, luscious berry jams, wonderful produce and fabulous mushrooms.
While we were in Southern Oregon over Christmas I discovered some other little treasures. We went out to The Peerless Restaurant and Bar for my birthday dinner and it was delicious. I've eaten at most of the restaurants in the Rogue Valley and I would rate this one up at the top. I was more impressed with the entree plates rather than the small plates. They had good service, a warm atmosphere, and a great wine list. We shared the red and gold beet salad with goat cheese cream, smoked pablano, ancho-orange vinaigrette - truely a lovely salad; duck confit with house made pappardelle pasta, smoked tomato sauce, goat cheese, and arugula as our entree - very good - they went a little heavy on the tomatoes but overall a nice dish. Our small plates were blue cheese stuffed lamb meatballs that are glazed in a balsalmic reduction (which should be drizzled not fully glazed - the balsamic was overpowering - couldn't even taste the blue cheese or subtleties of the lamb), and pan fried seafood cakes with lemon and caper aioli which also came with a wonderful slaw. For dessert we shared the chocolate walnut roulade made with bittersweet Callebaut ganache, mascarpone mousse, and walnut liqueur and the suggested pairing - overall both were a lovely finish to the meal. Our waiter brought an extra little treat in celebration of my birthday - their house made gelato duo and a glass of St. Germain liqueur. We fell in love with St. Germain - it is an elderflower liqueur that has hints of peach and citrus and is a delight by itself or in a mixed drink.
We always love to poke around the shops in Jacksonville at Christmas time. Jacksonville is a historic town where my hubby grew up and I partially grew up (I moved there when I was in high school but stayed till my late 20's). The street is lit up with tiny white lights, you can find carolers, cider, chestnuts roasting, horse-drawn carriage, etc. Very quaint. Anyway, I popped into the Mercantile and bought my mom a bottle of wonderful Robbins Family Farm Ascolano Extra Virgin Olive Oil. I am much more of a buttery smooth olive oil person than the green fruity kind (maybe it's just that I haven't found a green fruity kind that I like yet). It really is a wonderful olive oil - well worth the price and awards it has won. I also tasted their Eve's Mandarin blend and that was great as well.
One last place worth mentioning...during our summer visit we stopped by the Wooldridge Creek Winery. A must on a summer afternoon. A small winery and vineyard with spectacular scenery, good wine, and gracious friendly hosts. It was my favorite one to visit. It beckons you to grab a glass and lazily sit and enjoy God's creation. They even invited us in the barrel room and provided a little history and winery info
If you ever are traveling through Southern Oregon you must enjoy it's delicious bounty and friendly company, then you will understand why we miss it so.
